Flashlight firestarter

ABSTRACT

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided . . . a flashlight firestarter that includes an illumination source, an electrically heated ignition source for igniting combustible materials, and a firestarting element protective cap that includes a magnetic insert, all housed in a hollow multi-section cylindrical body. The firestarting element protective cap can be magnetically attached to the base of the invention for storage during operation of the firestarting element. Battery supplied electrons are directed through a component cylinder that works in conjunction with other elements of the invention to form a high current, cylindrical, multi-contact, low friction, auto-isolation switching mechanism. The flashlight firestarter also includes safety and reference channels that are used as both visual and tactile references during operation and are also used to house an onboard safety clip that prevents operation of the flashlight firestarter during storage or transport.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a flashlight firestarter and, moreparticularly, to a flashlight having an electrically heated firestartingelement as the ignition source

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Both flashlights and firestarting tools have been used in many differentenvironments and can be particularly useful during camping and outdoorsactivities where people are often isolated from civilization.Flashlights can be useful when navigating through dark wilderness,searching for items in backpacks or tents, fixing disabled vehicles, andto signal search and rescue personal. Firestarters can be useful whenfire is needed to provide warmth, cook meals, and also to signal rescuepersonal. Both flashlights and firestarters can be life saving deviceswhen confronted with a survival situation caused by natural disasterslike, hurricanes, tornados, and floods—that often cause electricaloutages and can displace people from their homes. Flashlights are evenused in oxygen free environments like manned space flights and bothflashlights and firestarters have also found their way into war zones.There are a presently many different types of flashlights and manydifferent types of firestarters being sold in the market place today.The most common types of flashlights use LED or incandescent bulbs ofvarious wavelengths and Brightness's that are illuminated usingelectrons supplied by batteries or other on-board mechanisms.Incandescent light bulbs use excessive amounts of electrical energy andsignificantly reduce battery life in portable devices. LED's use lesselectrical power but can often be difficult to replace. Generallyflashlights in use today use electrical switches that are either,push-button, sliding, or, single throw rotating threaded caps tocomplete the electrical circuits that direct electrical power to theillumination source. These types of switches have disadvantages indevices where safety, physical size, low contact wear, multipleswitching, high temperature, or high electrical current draw areconsiderations. Push button, sliding, and rotational switches can beturned on accidentally in the field during storage or transport inbackpacks or other stowage containers. If high electrical current is tobe directed, push button switches become too physically large andexpensive to be practical in small portable devices. In addition, switchcontact wear can reduce the useful life of the portable devices. Ifmultiple switching is desired more than one pushbutton type switch maybe required and threaded caps are generally single on/off type switches.High temperatures and or high electrical current will also damage theswitches commonly used in flashlights. Many types of firestarters arealso sold in the market place today and generally use a variety ofignition sources. These ignition sources include; matches, lighters thatuse some type of combustible liquid or gas, and stand alone pyrophoricelements such as ferrocerium rods that are struck with sharp objects toproduce a plurality of sparks. Housing matches within a device is not animprovement in the art because even water proof matches do not work wellin windy conditions and provide minimal ignition-time potential.Lighters use pyrophoric elements to ignite the on board fuel source andpyrophoric elements, both in lighters and stand-alone, wear out overtime, are susceptible to rapid oxidation in wet environments, arebrittle and easily broken, require some means to scrape the pyrophoricelement to obtain sparks, can be difficult to use, and contain rareearth elements, such as cerium, that are becoming too expensive to bepractical. Ever since flashlights and firestarters have been used therehas been a need for one invention that would provide sufficient lightfor purposes of illumination and a non-consumable ignition source to beused to ignite combustible materials in one portable, safe, durabledevice. The present invention addresses the aforementioned problems byusing a structural and electrical design that is aimed at minimizing thenegative effects thus increasing the likelihood that the individual willcarry the flashlight firestarter and realize it's benefits.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided . . . aflashlight firestarter that includes an illumination source, anelectrically heated ignition source for igniting combustible materials,and a firestarting element protective cap that includes a magneticinsert, all housed in a hollow multi-section cylindrical body. Thefirestarting element protective cap can be magnetically attached to thebase of the invention for storage during operation of the firestartingelement. Battery supplied electrons are directed through a componentcylinder that works in conjunction with other elements of the inventionto form a high current, cylindrical, multi-contact, low friction,auto-isolation switching mechanism. The flashlight firestarter alsoincludes safety and reference channels that are used as both visual andtactile references during operation and are also used to house anonboard safety clip that prevents operation of the flashlightfirestarter during storage or transport.

It would be advantageous to provide a . . . flashlight and firestarterin one device

It would also be advantageous to provide a flashlight firestarter thatincluded an electrically heated firestarting element as the ignitionsource

It would further be advantageous to provide a flashlight firestarterthat included an electrically heated firestarting element ignitionsource that had a large surface area

It would also be advantageous to provide a flashlight firestarter thatincluded a firestarting element ignition source that is non-consumable

It would further be advantageous to provide a . . . flashlightfirestarter the included a firestarting element ignition source that isself-cleaning

It would also be advantageous to provide a . . . flashlight firestarterthat included a .firestarting element ignition source that is waterproof

It would further be advantageous to provide a flashlight firestarterthat included a protective cap for the firestarting element ignitionsource

It would also be advantageous to provide a flashlight firestarter thatincluded a protective cap for the firestarting element ignition sourcewith a magnetic insert that could be used as a tool

It would further be advantageous to provide a flashlight firestarterthat included a battery cap with a magnetic insert that could be used asa tool to magnetize ferrous metals

It would also be advantageous to provide a flashlight firestarter thatincluded protective cap for the firestarting element ignition sourcethat could be attached magnetically to the battery cap during operation

It would further be advantageous to provide a flashlight firestarterthat included a switching mechanism that was able to direct high currentelectron flow

It would also be advantageous to provide a flashlight firestarter thatincluded a switching mechanism that mechanical prevented the operationof the flashlight and firestarter at the same time to conserve energy

It would further be advantageous to provide a flashlight firestarterthat included an integrated multi-contact switching mechanism able todirect high current electron flow

It would also be advantageous to provide a flashlight firestarter thatincluded a switching mechanism that was low friction to reduce wear

It would further be advantageous to provide a flashlight firestarterthat included a switching mechanism that was rotatable

It would also be advantageous to provide a flashlight firestarter thatincluded a switching mechanism that was silent

It would further be advantageous to provide a flashlight firestarterwith operational reference channels

It would also be advantageous to proved a flashlight firestarter thatincluded a safety clip

It would further be advantageous to provide a flashlight firestarterthat included a safety clip storage channel

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained byreference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunctionwith the subsequent, detailed description, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side cutaway view of the flashlight firestarter in the offconfiguration;

FIG. 2 is a side cutaway view of the flashlight firestarter in theflashlight-on configuration;

FIG. 3 is a side cutaway view of the flashlight firestarter in theflashlight-off, firestarter-on configuration; and

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the flashlight firestarter.

For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components willbear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 and working from top to bottom each element ofthe flashlight firestarter is briefly described. A full description ofthe function and operation of the flashlight firestarter will follow.The firestarter flashlight 8 of the invention includes, a firestartingelement protective cap 24 that includes a magnetic insert 28 that isdetachably mounted for easy replacement and securely held in positionusing a magnet retainer 26 that is threadably coupled to the inside ofthe firestarting element protective cap 24. The firestarting elementprotective cap 24 has a through hole at the thin-walled tip that is of asmaller diameter than the magnetic insert 28. The magnetic insert 28 isheld against the smaller diameter through hole by the magnet retainer26. The firestarting element protective cap 24 is constructed from metalor heat resistant material and is knurled for grip. The firestartingelement 62 is an electrically heated ignition source made from nichromewire that has been tightly coiled multiple times (approximately ⅛″ indiameter) to increase the surface area available to ignite combustiblematerials and to facilitate the flow of electrons. The firestartingelement 62 is also non-consumable, maintenance free, self cleaning, andwater proof. The firestarting element 62 is securely embedded into theceramic insert 44. The ceramic insert 44 acts both as an electricallyinsulated barrier between the positive and negative leads of thefirestarting element 62 and a thermal barrier between the firestartingelement 62 and the top housing insert 16 and the other elements of thefirestarter flashlight 8. The ceramic insert 44 can be premolded overthe firestarting element 62 and then adhesively fastened to the tophousing insert 16 using a high temperature ceramic or alumina epoxy suchas the Sauereisen 10 Insultemp or can be machined out of a ceramic oralumina cylinder that includes two holes separately drilled coaxiallythrough the insert to accommodate the positive and negative leads of thefirestarting element 62 while keeping them electrically and thermallyinsulated. The top housing insert 16 is constructed from an electricallyconductive metal, has a threaded top housing insert nipple 98 that is anappendage of the top housing insert 16, that is designed to receive thefirestarting element protective cap 24. The top housing insert 16 alsohouses the LED 46 (light emitting diode), ceramic insert 44,firestarting element 62 and ground screw 68. The LED 46 (light emittingdiode) is press fit into the top housing insert 16 to provide a watertight seal and is removably held into position using the LED set screw54. This allows easy replacement of the LED 46 if needed. LED 46provides light for the flashlight portion of the flashlight firstarter.Many types of standard LED's could be used that emit either visible orinfrared light. The top housing insert nipple 98 is extended to a pointthat will not cause a shadow in the approximately 15 degree cone oflight projected from the LED 46. The ground screw 68 is threadablyconnected to the top housing insert 16 and is electrically connected tothe negative LED wire 66 and the negative firestarting element wire 70providing an electrical ground connection for both elements. The tophousing insert 16 also has a top housing insert o-ring seal 52 that iscircumferentially held in position by a channel that encircles theentire perimeter of the top housing insert 16. The top housing inserto-ring seal 52 provides a water tight seal between the top housinginsert 16 and the top housing 12 when assembled. The top housing insert16 fits securely and is press fit into the top housing 12 and securedusing top housing set screw 58 and second top housing set screw 60. Boththe top housing set screw 58 and second top housing set screw 60 aremade from electrically conductive metals to allow electron flow betweenthe top housing insert 16 and the top housing 12. The top housing 12 isalso made from electrically conductive metal, is knurled for grip, andis threaded to allow the component switching cylinder 14 to be insertedand threadably coupled to the top housing 12. The component switchingcylinder 14 is both threadably coupled to the top housing 12 and heldinto position using the set screw for component switching cylinder 56.The set screw for component switching cylinder 56 insures that the tophousing 12 and component switching cylinder 14 remain securely coupledduring operation and operate as one unit. The component switchingcylinder 14 is electrically nonconductive and houses the firestartingelement positive screw terminal 32, LED positive terminal 40, ballspring mechanism 30, contact spring 50, and has an oversized screwdriver slot to allow easy insertion during assembly. The componentswitching cylinder 14, when populated with the components listed above,and working in conjunction with the other elements of the firestarterflashlight 8, comprises a rotatable, low friction, silent, long lasting,low maintenance, multi-switch mechanism capable of handling the highcurrent demands of this device. The component switching cylinder 14 mustbe electrically nonconductive to electrically isolate the firestartingelement positive screw terminal 32, LED positive terminal 40, ballspring mechanism 30, contact spring 50, and top housing 12 from eachother. The firestarting element positive screw terminal 32 is anelectrically conductive screw that is threadably coupled to theelectrically nonconductive component switching cylinder 14 andelectrically connected to positive firestarting element wire 72. The LEDpositive terminal 40 is also an electrically conductive screw and isthreadably coupled to the electrically nonconductive component switchingcylinder 14 and electrically connected to the positive LED wire 64. Theball spring mechanism 30 itself is manufactured by Halder Norm & Technikand is part number 22080.0004. The ball spring mechanism 30 is made fromelectrically conductive material and has an electrically conductivehousing, electrically conductive spring, and an electrically conductiveball bearing. The ball spring mechanism 30 is tightly inserted into thecomponent switching cylinder 14 by press fitting. The contact spring 50is slidably inserted into the component switching cylinder 14 and formsa flexible electrical connection between the base of the LED positiveterminal 40 and the ball spring mechanism 30. The main positive terminal22 is made from an electrically conductive metal, is rotatable aboutit's longitudinal axis within the electrically nonconductive mainpositive terminal housing 20, and has a main positive terminal channel82 to accept set screw main positive terminal 80. During assembly anelectrical continuity meter is used to determine when set screw mainpositive terminal 80 is threadably inserted until it just makes physicalcontact with the main positive terminal channel 82. This allows freerotation of the main positive terminal 22 about it's longitudinal axiswithout longitudinal movement during operation. The main positiveterminal 22, main positive terminal housing 20, and set screw mainpositive terminal 80 assembly are threadably coupled to the batteryhousing 10. Because the main positive terminal housing 20 is made fromelectrically nonconductive material there is no electron flow betweenthe main positive terminal housing 20 and the battery housing 10. Themain positive terminal 22, however, does extend beyond both the mainpositive terminal housing 20 to extend within the battery housing 10, toallow electrical contact between the main positive terminal 22 and thelong lasting AA Energizer Ultimate Lithium Battery 76 and Second AAEnergizer Ultimate Lithium Battery 78 and also extends up into thecomponent cylinder to allow contact with the ball bearing contact 74during operation. The battery housing 10 has a rubber battery housingo-ring seal 38 that provides a water tight seal between the top housing12 and battery housing 10 and also provides smooth thread operationbetween the top housing 12 and battery housing 10. The battery housingo-ring seal 38 is circumferentially held in position within a custom fito-ring channel battery housing 94 that is machined into the batteryhousing 10. The battery housing 10 also has a flashlight-on referenceand safety clip channel 88, firestarter-on reference channel and safetyclip channel 90 and a safety clip storage channel 92 machined into thebattery housing 10. These reference channels provide both visual andtactile reference points during operation. Safety clip 86 is a halfround clip made from spring steel, can be worn on finger to conditionwild tinder, can be securely circumferentially held within safety clipstorage channel 92 during nonuse, and can have a lanyard hole. Batteryspring 48 is made from electrically conductive metal and is manufacturedby Lee Spring part number LB 024A01 AA and is securely inserted intobattery cap 18. Battery cap 18 has a battery cap o-ring seal 36 that iscircumferentially held in position with the o-ring channel battery cap96 that circumferentially encircles the battery cap 18 providing a watertight seal. The battery cap 18 also houses a second magnetic insert 84that is detachably mounted for easy replacement within the battery cap18 and securely held into position using a second magnet retainer 34that is threadably coupled to the battery cap 18. The battery cap 18thin-walled base has a through hole that is of a smaller diameter thanthe magnetic insert 28 and the magnetic insert 28 is held against thesmaller diameter though hole using the second magnetic retainer.

In operation and referring to FIG. 1, before operation 2 AA EnergizerUltimate Lithium Batteries must be placed within the battery housing 10by removing battery cap 18 and inserting battery's as shown in FIG. !and reattaching battery cap 18. We will begin with the operation of theflashlight portion of the flashlight firestarter. As mentioned in thedescription above the flashlight firestarter is equipped with a safetyclip 86. The purpose of the safety clip 86 is to prevent the flashlightfirestarter from turning on during storage in backpacks, ones pocket, orother stowing containers even when coming in contact with other items ormaterials. The safety clip 86 is also designed to be used as a tool tocondition wild tinder when using the firestarter portion of theflashlight firestarter. This is accomplished by wearing the safety clip86 on ones finger like a ring and scraping fine shavings off of treebark or other wild tinder's. To operate the flashlight portion of theflashlight firestarter the user must first remove safety clip 86 fromthe flashlight-on reference and safety clip channel 88 by forciblysliding the safety clip 86 laterally to remove. Once the safety clip 86is removed the user forcibly reinserts the safety clip 86 laterally intothe safety clip storage channel 92. Removal of the safety clip 86 allowsthe top housing 12 to move freely upon clockwise rotation along thebattery housing 10. The user must then rotate the entire top housing 12clockwise to cause the top housing 12 to move toward the battery housing10. As the top housing 12 is rotated clockwise the ball bearing contact74 portion of the ball spring mechanism 30 begins to move closer to theside top portion of the main positive terminal 22 that extends up intothe component switching cylinder 14 and out of the main positiveterminal housing 20. Now referring to FIG. 2, after rotating the tophousing 12 clockwise several times, the bottom edge of the top housing12 meets the top of the flashlight-on reference and safety clip channel88 and the ball bearing contact 74 of the ball spring mechanism 30 makesfirst electrical contact with the side top portion of the main positiveterminal 22. The ball bearing contact 74 of the ball spring mechanism 30continues to make electrical contact with the side top portion of themain positive terminal 22 during rotation of the top housing 12 for theentire width of the flashlight-on reference and safety clip channel 88.The flashlight-on reference and safety clip channel 88 gives the user aboth visual and tactile reference as to when the light will turn on.This helps the user know which direction to turn the top housing 12relative to the position remaining after last use. The ball bearingcontact 74 of the ball spring mechanism 30 rotates freely and silentlythroughout contact with the top side portion of the main positiveterminal 22 and the contact is buffered by the ball spring mechanismspring 100 providing a very smoothly operating, low friction electricalcontact between the ball bearing contact 74 and the main positiveterminal 22 that will reduce wear and give longer electrical contactlife than has been show in prior art. Again referring to FIG. 2, withelectrical contact made between the ball bearing contact 74 and the mainpositive terminal 22 electrons can now flow from AA Energizer UltimateLithium Battery 76 and second AA Energizer Ultimate Lithium Battery 78through the main positive terminal 22, that is in constant contact withthe positive terminal of AA Energizer Ultimate Lithium Battery 76, andthrough the ball bearing contact 74, ball spring mechanism 30, thecontact spring 50, the LED positive terminal 40, the positive LED wire64, the LED 46, the negative LED wire 66, the ground screw 68, tophousing insert 16, and continue through the top housing set screw 58,second top housing set screw 60, through the top housing 12, throughbattery housing 10 that is threadably coupled to top housing 12, throughbattery spring 48 and finally to the negative terminal of the second AAEnergizer Ultimate Lithium Battery 78, thus completing the electricalcircuit and turning the flashlight on.

In operation of the firestarter portion of the flashlight firestarterand referring to FIG. 3, the user would first remove the firestartingelement protective cap 24 by unscrewing and separating it from the tophousing insert nipple 98. Once the firestarting element protective cap24 is removed the user can then magnetically attach the firestartingelement protective cap 24 to the bottom of the battery cap 18, whichalso has a magnetic insert 28 as described above. This insures that theuser will always know where to find the firestarting element protectivecap 24 and prevents loss of the firestarting element protective cap 24.The powerful neodymium magnetic inserts placed at the tips of both thefirestarting element protective cap 24 and battery cap 18 can also beused to pick up metal parts that were dropped in tight or dangerousspaces that would not permit the user to retrieve the dropped partsusing ones hands. The flashlight portion of the flashlight firestartercould also be illuminated when retrieving metal parts making it easierfor the user to find and magnetically pickup the dropped parts in lowlight situations using the powerful neodymium magnetic insert 28 in thefirestarting element protective cap 24. With the firestarting elementprotective cap 24 removed and attached to the battery cap 18 the user isnow ready to ignited combustible materials using the firestarter portionof the flashlight firestarter. The user would now continue to rotate thetop housing 12 until the bottom edge of the top housing 12 meets the topof the firestarter-on reference channel and safety clip channel 90. Asthe bottom edge of the top housing 12 approaches the top of thefirestarter-on reference channel and safety clip channel 90 duringclockwise rotation the ball bearing contact 74 of the ball springmechanism 30 rotates around and down the top side portion of the mainpositive terminal 22 that extends up into the component switchingcylinder 14 and out of the electrically nonconductive main positiveterminal housing 20. Once the top housing 12 has been rotated to thepoint where the bottom edge of the top housing 12 is in positron at thetop edge of the firestarter-on reference channel and safety clip channel90 the ball bearing contact 74 has now traveled beyond the exposedelectrically conductive top side portion of the main positive terminal22, and is now positioned over and against the electricallynonconductive main positive terminal housing 20. The ball bearingcontact 74 has also retracted within the ball spring mechanism 30 viathe ball spring mechanism spring 100 to allow the ball bearing contact74 to ride over the electrically nonconductive main positive terminalhousing 20 and will continue to silently and rotate around and down theelectrically nonconductive main positive terminal housing 20 during anyadditional clockwise rotation of the top housing 12. Because the ballbearing contact 74 is now making direct contact with the electricallynonconductive main positive terminal housing 20 the supply of electronsto the LED 46 is cut off and the light portion of the flashlightfirestarter is now automatically turned off to allow all availableelectrons to flow to the firestarter portion of the flashlightfirestarter. Simultaneously the firestarting element positive screwterminal 32 has traveled toward the main positive terminal 22 and is nowmaking direct electrical contact with the top of the electricallyconductive main positive terminal 22. The main positive terminal 22 isable to rotate freely during electrical contact with the firestartingelement positive screw terminal 32 due to the set screw main positiveterminal 80 being mounted within the main positive channel. This featureis designed to eliminate frictional wear between the main positiveterminal 22 and firestarting element positive screw terminal 32 thusincreasing the life of the device. With contact made between thefirestarting element positive screw terminal 32 and the main positiveterminal 22 electrons begin to flow from the AA Energizer UltimateLithium Battery 76 and second AA Energizer Ultimate Lithium Battery 78through the main positive terminal 22, that is in constant contact withthe positive terminal of AA Energizer Ultimate Lithium Battery 76, andthrough the firestarting element positive screw terminal 32, through thepositive firestarting element wire 72, the firestarting element 62, thenegative firestarting element wire 70, the ground screw 68, the tophousing insert 16, the top housing set screw 58, the second top housingset screw 60, the top housing 12, the battery housing 10, the batteryspring 48, and to the negative terminal of the second AA EnergizerUltimate Lithium Battery 78 thus completing the circuit and turning onthe firestarting element 62. The firestarting element 62 is a 22-36gauge nichrome wire approximately 2 inches long and has (2 to 3) ⅛″coils to increase surface area and to increase the flow of electricalcurrent through the fire starting element. The firestarting element 62reaches temperatures of over 2000 degrees Fahrenheit and is hot enoughto ignite many combustible materials. During actual use the firestartingelement 62 can become dirty from tree sap or other byproducts ofcombustion. To clean the firestarting element 62 the user can simplyturn the firestarter portion of the firestarter flashlight 8 on for 1second without touching any combustible material to vaporize anymaterials on the firestarting element 62 thus cleaning the firestartingelement 62. Once the user is finished using the firstarter portion ofthe flashlight firstarter the firestarting element protective cap 24 canbe forcibly removed from the magnetic battery cap 18 and threadablycoupled to the top housing insert nipple 98 for storage or transport ofthe flashlight firestarter. To turn of either the firestarter orflashlight portions of the flashlight firestarter the user must simplyrotate the top housing 12 counter clockwise until the bottom edge of thetop housing 12 is positioned as to not line up with either theflashlight on reference channel and safety clip 86 channel or thefirestarter on reference and safety clip 86 channel and insert thesafety clip 86 where desired for the given operation.

In summary once the safety clip 86 is removed from the flashlight-onreference and safety clip channel 88 and reinserted into the safety clipstorage channel 92 and the top housing 12 is rotated clockwise, theflashlight turns on at the flashlight-on reference and safety clipchannel 88 and as the top housing 12 is further rotated clockwise, theflashlight portion of the flashlight firestarter continues to stay onthrough the width of the flashlight-on reference and safety clip channel88 and then goes off once the top housing 12 has been rotated clockwisepast the flashlight-on reference and safety clip channel 88. As the tophousing 12 is rotated clockwise further to the firestarter-on referencechannel and safety clip channel 90 the firestarting portion of theflashlight firestarter goes on. The safety clip 86 could also beinserted into any of the channels listed in this description to allowthe user to effectively disable the individual functions. One of thepurposes of this mechanism is to make it impossible for the user to useboth the flashlight and firestarter at the same to direct all availableelectrons to the firestarting portion of the flashlight firestarter whenigniting combustible materials.

Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operatingrequirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in theart, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen forpurposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications whichdo not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of thisinvention.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected byLetters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A flashlight firestarter for providing light, andigniting combustible materials, comprising: means for ignitingcombustible materials using an electrically heated firestarting element;means for providing a non-conductive element to mount individualswitching components that collectively comprise a rotatablemulti-contact, low friction, high current, mechanical flashlightfirestarter auto-isolation switching mechanism; means for providing ahousing for batteries and main positive terminal housing that is markedwith permanently machined operating reference channels and safety clipchannels; means for providing a safety stop that is mechanicallyinserted into the flashlight-on or firestarting-on reference channelsand can be storable in the safety clip storage channel during operationof the flashlight firestarter; means for providing protection forfirestarting element during non use or storage that is magneticallyattachable to battery cap to prevent loss when removed to allowoperation of the firestarting element; means for providing a componentswitching cylinder and top housing insert housing that is electricallyconductive, threadably connected to said means for providing a housingfor batteries and main positive terminal housing that is marked withpermanently machined operating reference channels and safety clipchannels, and threadably coupled to said means for providing anon-conductive element to mount individual switching components thatcollectively comprise a rotatable multi-contact, low friction, highcurrent, mechanical flashlight firestarter auto-isolation switchingmechanism; means for providing an appendaged structure to houseflashlight and firestarting electrical elements, sealably coupled tosaid means for providing a component switching cylinder and top housinginsert housing that is electrically conductive; means for providingvisible or infra red light, removably held to said means for providingan appendaged structure to house flashlight and firestarting electricalelements; means for providing a frictional force to securely hold LED inplace and allow quick replacement of led, removably held to said meansfor providing visible or infra red light, and removably screwed to saidmeans for providing an appendaged structure to house flashlight andfirestarting electrical elements; means for providing mechanism tosecure top housing insert to top housing and allow electricalconductivity between the top housing insert and top housing, securelyheld to said means for providing an appendaged structure to houseflashlight and firestarting electrical elements, and threadably insertedto said means for providing a component switching cylinder and tophousing insert housing that is electrically conductive; means forproviding a rotatable conductive terminal that reduces friction andelectrically connects the main positive terminal, to the firestartingelement positive screw, and batteries; means for providing bothelectrical insulation and a mechanical housing for the main positiveterminal while allowing free 360 rotation of the main positive terminal,threadably coupled to said means for providing a rotatable conductiveterminal that reduces friction and electrically connects the mainpositive terminal, to the firestarting element positive screw, andbatteries, and threadably coupled to said means for providing a housingfor batteries and main positive terminal housing that is marked withpermanently machined operating reference channels and safety clipchannels; and means for providing a cap for the battery housing thatallows electrical conductivity between the battery cap and batteryhousing and able to magnetically receive the firestarting elementprotective cap for storage while flashlight firestarter is operated,threadably coupled to said means for providing a housing for batteriesand main positive terminal housing that is marked with permanentlymachined operating reference channels and safety clip channels.
 2. Theflashlight firestarter in accordance with claim 1, wherein said meansfor igniting combustible materials using an electrically heatedfirestarting element comprises a non-consumable, electrically heatedignition source for igniting combustible materials, high temperature,large surface area, coiled nichrome wire, water proof, maintenence free,self cleaning, lithium ion battery powered firestarting element.
 3. Theflashlight firestarter in accordance with claim 1, wherein said meansfor providing a non-conductive element to mount individual switchingcomponents that collectively comprise a rotatable multi-contact, lowfriction, high current, mechanical flashlight firestarter auto-isolationswitching mechanism comprises an electrically non-conductive housing,ball spring mechanism, retractable electrical contact, firestartingelement positive screw terminal, LED positive terminal, contact spring,oversized screw driver slot for easy insertion, silent operatingcomponent switching cylinder.
 4. The flashlight firestarter inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said means for providing a housing forbatteries and main positive terminal housing that is marked withpermanently machined operating reference channels and safety clipchannels comprises an electrically conductive metal, flashlight-onreference channel, flashlight-off reference channel, firestarter-onreference channel, safety clip locking channel, o-ring channel, setscrew, knurled for grip battery housing.
 5. The flashlight firestarterin accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for providing a safetystop that is mechanically inserted into the flashlight-on orfirestarting-on reference channels and can be storable in the safetyclip storage channel during operation of the flashlight firestartercomprises a spring steel, can be worn like ring when not in use safetyclip, having an edge that can be used to condition wild tinderr.
 6. Theflashlight firestarter in accordance with claim 1, wherein said meansfor providing protection for firestarting element during non use orstorage that is magnetically attachable to battery cap to prevent losswhen removed to allow operation of the firestarting element comprises aneodymium magnetic insert, removable magnet retainer, small diameterhole at tip to reveal magnetic insert, threaded, heat resistant, able tomagnetize, knurled for grip, metal firestarting element protective cap.7. The flashlight firestarter in accordance with claim 1, wherein saidmeans for providing a component switching cylinder and top housinginsert housing that is electrically conductive comprises an electricallyconductive metal, o-ring channel, threaded, knurled top housing.
 8. Theflashlight firestarter in accordance with claim 1, wherein said meansfor providing an appendaged structure to house flashlight andfirestarting electrical elements comprises a threaded nipple, extendedappendage that houses firestarting element, extended appendage thathouses ceramic insert that acts as a thermal and electric insulator,houses LED, electrically conductive metal, houses ground screw, o-ringchannel top housing insert.
 9. The flashlight firestarter in accordancewith claim 1, wherein said means for providing visible or infra redlight comprises a source of visible light, source of infrared light,press fit for quick removal and water tight seal, removably held by LEDset screw, water tight led.
 10. The flashlight firestarter in accordancewith claim 1, wherein said means for providing a frictional force tosecurely hold LED in place and allow quick replacement of led comprisesa threaded, quick removal LED set screw.
 11. The flashlight firestarterin accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for providing mechanismto secure top housing insert to top housing and allow electricalconductivity between the top housing insert and top housing comprises anelectrically conductive, threaded top housing set screw.
 12. Theflashlight firestarter in accordance with claim 1, wherein said meansfor providing a rotatable conductive terminal that reduces friction andelectrically connects the main positive terminal, to the firestartingelement positive screw, and batteries comprises a rotatable aroundlongitudinal axis, electrically conductive material, recessed channel toaccommodate set screw main positive terminal.
 13. The flashlightfirestarter in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for providingboth electrical insulation and a mechanical housing for the mainpositive terminal while allowing free 360 rotation of the main positiveterminal comprises a non electrically conductive, channel riding setscrew main positive terminal housing.
 14. The flashlight firestarter inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said means for providing a cap for thebattery housing that allows electrical conductivity between the batterycap and battery housing and able to magnetically receive thefirestarting element protective cap for storage while flashlightfirestarter is operated comprises an electrically conductive metal,second neodymium magnetic insert, second magnet retainer, small diameterhole at tip to reveal second magnetic insert, battery spring, knurledfor grip battery cap.
 15. A flashlight firestarter for providing light,and igniting combustible materials, comprising: a non-consumable,electrically heated ignition source for igniting combustible materials,high temperature, large surface area, coiled nichrome wire, water proof,maintenence free, self cleaning, lithium ion battery poweredfirestarting element, for igniting combustible materials using anelectrically heated firestarting element; an electrically non-conductivehousing, ball spring mechanism, retractable electrical contact,firestarting element positive screw terminal, LED positive terminal,contact spring, oversized screw driver slot for easy insertion, silentoperating component switching cylinder, for providing a non-conductiveelement to mount individual switching components that collectivelycomprise a rotatable multi-contact, low friction, high current,mechanical flashlight firestarter auto-isolation switching mechanism; anelectrically conductive metal, flashlight-on reference channel,flashlight-off reference channel, firestarter-on reference channel,safety clip locking channel, o-ring channel, set screw, knurled for gripbattery housing, for providing a housing for batteries and main positiveterminal housing that is marked with permanently machined operatingreference channels and safety clip channels; a spring steel, can be wornlike ring when not in use safety clip, having an edge that can be usedto condition wild tinderr, for providing a safety stop that ismechanically inserted into the flashlight-on or firestarting-onreference channels and can be storable in the safety clip storagechannel during operation of the flashlight firestarter; a neodymiummagnetic insert, removable magnet retainer, small diameter hole at tipto reveal magnetic insert, threaded, heat resistant, able to magnetize,knurled for grip, metal firestarting element protective cap, forproviding protection for firestarting element during non use or storagethat is magnetically attachable to battery cap to prevent loss whenremoved to allow operation of the firestarting element; an electricallyconductive metal, o-ring channel, threaded, knurled top housing, forproviding a component switching cylinder and top housing insert housingthat is electrically conductive, threadably connected to said batteryhousing, and threadably coupled to said component switching cylinder; athreaded nipple, extended appendage that houses firestarting element,extended appendage that houses ceramic insert that acts as a thermal andelectric insulator, houses LED, electrically conductive metal, housesground screw, o-ring channel top housing insert, for providing anappendaged structure to house flashlight and firestarting electricalelements, sealably coupled to said top housing; a source of visiblelight, source of infrared light, press fit for quick removal and watertight seal, removably held by LED set screw, water tight led, forproviding visible or infra red light, removably held to said top housinginsert; a threaded, quick removal LED set screw, for providing africtional force to securely hold LED in place and allow quickreplacement of led, removably held to said LED, and removably screwed tosaid top housing insert; an electrically conductive, threaded tophousing set screw, for providing mechanism to secure top housing insertto top housing and allow electrical conductivity between the top housinginsert and top housing, securely held to said top housing insert, andthreadably inserted to said top housing; a rotatable around longitudinalaxis, electrically conductive material, recessed channel to accommodateset screw main positive terminal, for providing a rotatable conductiveterminal that reduces friction and electrically connects the mainpositive terminal, to the firestarting element positive screw, andbatteries; a non electrically conductive, channel riding set screw mainpositive terminal housing, for providing both electrical insulation anda mechanical housing for the main positive terminal while allowing free360 rotation of the main positive terminal, threadably coupled to saidmain positive terminal, and threadably coupled to said battery housing;and an electrically conductive metal, second neodymium magnetic insert,second magnet retainer, small diameter hole at tip to reveal secondmagnetic insert, battery spring, knurled for grip battery cap, forproviding a cap for the battery housing that allows electricalconductivity between the battery cap and battery housing and able tomagnetically receive the firestarting element protective cap for storagewhile flashlight firestarter is operated, threadably coupled to saidbattery housing.
 16. A flashlight firestarter for providing light, andigniting combustible materials, comprising: a non-consumable,electrically heated ignition source for igniting combustible materials,high temperature, large surface area, coiled nichrome wire, water proof,maintenence free, self cleaning, lithium ion battery poweredfirestarting element, for igniting combustible materials using anelectrically heated firestarting element; an electrically non-conductivehousing, ball spring mechanism, retractable electrical contact,firestarting element positive screw terminal, LED positive terminal,contact spring, oversized screw driver slot for easy insertion, silentoperating component switching cylinder, for providing a non-conductiveelement to mount individual switching components that collectivelycomprise a rotatable multi-contact, low friction, high current,mechanical flashlight firestarter auto-isolation switching mechanism; anelectrically conductive metal, flashlight-on reference channel,flashlight-off reference channel, firestarter-on reference channel,safety clip locking channel, o-ring channel, set screw, knurled for gripbattery housing, for providing a housing for batteries and main positiveterminal housing that is marked with permanently machined operatingreference channels and safety clip channels; a spring steel, can be wornlike ring when not in use safety clip, having an edge that can be usedto condition wild tinderr, for providing a safety stop that ismechanically inserted into the flashlight-on or firestarting-onreference channels and can be storable in the safety clip storagechannel during operation of the flashlight firestarter; a neodymiummagnetic insert, removable magnet retainer, small diameter hole at tipto reveal magnetic insert, threaded, heat resistant, able to magnetize,knurled for grip, metal firestarting element protective cap, forproviding protection for firestarting element during non use or storagethat is magnetically attachable to battery cap to prevent loss whenremoved to allow operation of the firestarting element; an electricallyconductive metal, o-ring channel, threaded, knurled top housing, forproviding a component switching cylinder and top housing insert housingthat is electrically conductive, threadably connected to said batteryhousing, and threadably coupled to said component switching cylinder; athreaded nipple, extended appendage that houses firestarting element,extended appendage that houses ceramic insert that acts as a thermal andelectric insulator, houses LED, electrically conductive metal, housesground screw, o-ring channel top housing insert, for providing anappendaged structure to house flashlight and firestarting electricalelements, sealably coupled to said top housing; a source of visiblelight, source of infrared light, press fit for quick removal and watertight seal, removably held by LED set screw, water tight led, forproviding visible or infra red light, removably held to said top housinginsert; a threaded, quick removal LED set screw, for providing africtional force to securely hold LED in place and allow quickreplacement of led, removably held to said LED, and removably screwed tosaid top housing insert; an electrically conductive, threaded tophousing set screw, for providing mechanism to secure top housing insertto top housing and allow electrical conductivity between the top housinginsert and top housing, securely held to said top housing insert, andthreadably inserted to said top housing; a rotatable around longitudinalaxis, electrically conductive material, recessed channel to accommodateset screw main positive terminal, for providing a rotatable conductiveterminal that reduces friction and electrically connects the mainpositive terminal, to the firestarting element positive screw, andbatteries; a non electrically conductive, channel riding set screw mainpositive terminal housing, for providing both electrical insulation anda mechanical housing for the main positive terminal while allowing free360 rotation of the main positive terminal, threadably coupled to saidmain positive terminal, and threadably coupled to said battery housing;and an electrically conductive metal, second neodymium magnetic insert,second magnet retainer, small diameter hole at tip to reveal secondmagnetic insert, battery spring, knurled for grip battery cap, forproviding a cap for the battery housing that allows electricalconductivity between the battery cap and battery housing and able tomagnetically receive the firestarting element protective cap for storagewhile flashlight firestarter is operated, threadably coupled to saidbattery housing.